Why I'll Never Use Another Brow Gel Besides Glossier's Boy Brow
A love letter to the cult-favorite brow product.
Across every eyebrow phase I’ve been through — thick, thin, bleached and everything in between — Glossier‘s Boy Brow has remained a staple in my rotation. In fact, I’ve been a fan since the brow gel was initially released in 2015 — and to this day, I haven’t been able to find a single brow product that’s on par with it.
At the time of Glossier’s launch 11 years ago, the brand’s lineup was far more simplistic than it is now. Although the Boy Brow wasn’t part of the brand’s initial edit, it’s one of the few products, along with the balms and skin tint, that’s just as loved today as it was back then. For many Gen Z beauty fans, Boy Brow was their first-ever brow product. But, for me in particular, it’s the one brow product that I just can’t quit.
What To Know About Glossier’s Boy Brow
Best for: Fluffy brows in a pinch
Price: $22 USD on the brand’s website
Rating: 10/10
Why The Hype?
Inspired by the formula of mustache pomade, Boy Brow is flexible and comfortable on the brows — unlike other gels that can feel heavy and stiff. At the same time, it effortlessly keeps hairs in place for hours and won’t flake throughout the day. Because of its pomade-like consistency, Boy Brow leaves your brows looking fluffy — while seamlessly shaping and defining them.
How To Use
Thanks to its perfectly-sized spoolie, Boy Brow is extremely easy to apply. First, I start by removing the excess product on the tip of the wand, as this can clump up on your brows if you’re not careful. Afterwards, I simply brush through my eyebrows and disperse the gel evenly. Depending on your desired look, you can brush your brows up for that bushy, soap brow look, or follow the natural shape of your brows for a more subtle result.
I use Boy Brow as the last step of my eyebrow routine. Meaning, after filling in my brows with powder, I finish off with it to set everything in place. But, if you typically opt for a more natural brow, you can also use Boy Brow on its own. Plus, Glossier has extended the range to include seven shades — with everything from Black for the dark haired girlies, to Clear for the minimalists.
An Honest Review
Although I’ve dabbled with other brow products in the past, I’ve never found a gel that feels and looks as good as Boy Brow does. While other brow gels can be intimidating, Boy Brow rarely ever does me wrong. It coats my brows in a single swipe and as someone with fairly sparse brows, it’s a must for that full brow look. Thankfully, its formula is cohesive across all of its shades — as I’ve previously used Black, Clear, Dark Brown and Blonde, and I haven’t noticed any difference in texture or wear time. Personally, I also find that a single tube lasts me a good while before I’m running out to buy it all over again.
Beyond that, Boy Brow is more than just a clean girl, no-makeup makeup staple — it’s versatile enough to suit any makeup look and any brow shape. While I’ve noticed that others brow products typically favor a certain beauty aesthetic or skill level, Boy Brow is truly one-size-fits-all. It’s simple enough to be beginner-friendly but also effective enough to be paired with the most complex glam.
The Final Verdict
Whether you’re a beginner that’s lacking a low maintenance brow routine or a pro in search of your holy grail, you can’t go wrong with Boy Brow. Its formula is comfortable and intuitive, without sacrificing any staying power. While I once strayed from the light and experimented with other brow gels, I quickly realized that none of them compare to Boy Brow. No matter what shape or color my eyebrows are, I can always rely on Boy Brow to deliver fluffy, defined brows — and I have a graveyard full of empties to prove it.
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